Univ. of Tennessee AD Phillip Fulmer "will retire," according to sources. Fulmer "made the decision to step down, and his departure is not tied" to a recruiting investigation into the football program that also led to the firing today of coach Jeremy Pruitt. Fulmer will retire "after UT hires an AD to replace him, because he wants his successor to choose the next football coach." Sources said that Pruitt "was fired for cause" for the alleged violations, meaning the university "will not pay his buyout." Less than four months ago, UT awarded Pruitt a contract extension with a "raise beginning this year and an increased buyout" (KNOXVILLE NEWS SENTINEL, 1/18). UT "has brought in Parker Executive Search" to find an AD (TWITTER.com, 1/18).

The Texans are interviewing Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy today after the NFL "adjusted its interview rules," according to sources. The Texans "had previously requested an interview for Bieniemy," but it was unclear previously if he would meet with them. Because of the "virtual nature of the interviews, and with club consent, the NFL adapted its rules to allow interviews with head coaching candidates whose teams are still in the playoffs." Deshaun Watson has endorsed Bieniemy amid the Texans QB being "unhappy with the lack of input he had" into the GM hiring process (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/18).

Meanwhile, Watson asked fans who planned a protest on his behalf to cancel the event "for the sake of public safety." Watson tweeted, "Covid is spreading at a high rate & I don't want any fans to unnecessarily expose themselves to infection" (ESPN.com, 1/18).

The Hawks are the "first team to wear a jersey featuring the letters 'MLK'" as they host the T'Wolves today in one of nine NBA games on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The City Edition jerseys "had been in the making for a few years." The Hawks "first briefed the NBA about the jersey idea" in September '18. CMO Melissa Proctor, VP/Brand Creative Shirley Zhang, VP/Brand Merchandising Amy Serino and other members of the team "worked with Nike on the design." In '19, the "original designs were made" and Atlanta's King Center was "looped in" (THEUNDEFEATED.com, 1/18).

This is "not the first connection the Hawks have made with the King legacy." The "symbolic resonance of the jerseys is so strong that Pope Francis blessed one earlier this month" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/18). A full line of City Edition MLK gear is now on sale and featured prominently on the Hawks' official website (THE DAILY).

The Hornets launched a Social Justice Platform that includes elements related to economic mobility, racial equity and voting. A dedicated website will include info on HSE’s initiatives, as well as links to external resources and organizations. The new Social Justice Platform will most immediately focus on economic mobility, with efforts aimed at increasing social capital, raising awareness of these struggles and providing resources, mentorship and education. Beginning today, applications are being accepted for the first-ever Hornets Innovation Summit (Hornets).

UFC COO Lawrence Epstein confirmed that the promotion still is "planning on coming to France" to stage its first-ever event in the country after the pandemic shelved plans for a Paris card in '20. Epstein said, "As soon as COVID-19 allows, UFC will be coming to France." He added, "We have high hopes that will be possible before the end of 2021." Epstein said the goal is to "hold 20,000 fans" for the Paris event, but he stressed assuring fans' safety "will be our main priority" (LE PARISIEN, 1/18).

Indianapolis Motor Speedway is putting a “significant investment of capital” into renovating its infield golf course, according to Penske Entertainment Corp. CEO Mark Miles. This comes as Roger Penske enters his second year of ownership of the venue, having invested about $15M in '20 to start upgrading the facility. IMS has yet to formally announce a new wave of renovations, but Miles told SBJ that the Brickyard Crossing golf course is being renovated with repaving paths, adding curbs and furbishing the clubhouse. The course has recently hosted LPGA events, and Miles said Penske considers it a "useful asset and great amenity."

Meanwhile, IMS has put out a media alert for an Indy 500 announcement tomorrow related to its diversity initiatives.

Today's Pistons-Heat game, originally scheduled for 3:00pm ET, "has been delayed" until 8:00pm to allow more time for COVID-19 testing (TWITTER.com, 1/18).

Inter Miami named Sounders VP Chris Henderson Chief Soccer Officer & Sporting Dir and England Women's National Team coach Phil Neville to the same position (Inter Miami).

NHL Center Ice is now available on Sling TV for $29 per month, marking the first streaming service to integrate the channel (THE DAILY).

Home repair brand Flex Seal signed a sponsorship with golfer Sebastián Muñoz that will include digital assets and exposure on-site at tournaments (Flex Seal).

The Players Championship is teaming up with nonprofit First Tee-North Florida and Duval County Public Schools to "launch a new leadership program introducing students to golf." The program, called Rising Leaders of Jax, will "select 30 middle school students" from the area (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/18).

"If we don't have a men's basketball tournament for two years in a row, then a lot of things that we are used to having, you're not going to have. Because it's not like the women's tournament is going to go out there and make enough money to pay for anything. We're gonna make some money, but not enough to survive" -- UConn women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma (ESPN.com, 1/18).

“This generation is tired of the saying of, ‘Well, we’ve always done it that way.’ Three or four years ago, if you kneeled at the national anthem, you were considered wrong. Fast forward three years and even the media was singling out people that didn’t kneel” -- NBA TV’s Candace Parker, on efforts by athletes to promote social justice (“Pregame Show,” NBA TV, 1/18).

“L.T. has to be there, he is such an important part of the fabric of our brand. Under the current conditions, he’s as important as the court, the lights, the banners, everything. He makes the players feel like they’re home” -- Lakers President of Business Operations Tim Harris, on the team's public address announcer Lawrence Tanter helping bring atmosphere to fanless games (L.A. TIMES, 1/18).

“I don’t think you can overstate the importance of women playing Augusta” -- Golfweek’s Beth Ann Nichols, on the Augusta National Women’s Amateur returning to the home of The Masters (“Golf Today,” Golf Channel, 1/18).

NFLPA head @demauricesmith tells us on @IA1057TheFan that NFLPA will approach NFL before Super Bowl about means to foster more diversity in ownership/team president/HC/GM ranks. Listen live @1057TheFan

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 18, 2021

Every job is going to be filled before Eric Bieniemy gets one, right?

I'm just an NBA beat guy and a mediocre one at that, so excuse my take but if Bieniemy doesn't get a job this time it would seem something along the lines of incredibly stupidly wrongly moronic asinine.

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) January 18, 2021

Multiple sources connected to #Eagles coaching search believe #Patriots OC Josh McDaniels is a prime candidate for the HC job. #Bucs DC Todd Bowles interviews this afternoon and has some internal support. #Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy does not have interview planned. Stay tuned.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 18, 2021

interesting report, but why can't Dan just... report these facts (on a journalistic platform, ESPN)? And if they can't be reported... then how can he say this much on air? (I've not heard of a standard of reporting where you can't repeat reported facts on television?) https://t.co/W0lAiCivjj

— Chris B. Brown (@smartfootball) January 18, 2021

Tiger-Stevie breakup: Tiger told Steve he could caddie for Adam at Congo US Open but changed his mind. SW had his father-in-law with him, paid hotels/airfare, was not on payroll so stood firm.

But truth is relationship soured after TW wouldn't say SW was not involved in scandal.

— Robert Lusetich (@RobertLusetich) January 18, 2021

I met MLK when I was a high school journalism student. His courage, conviction & compassion changed my life. He made me realize that good people don’t sit by & allow injustice to exploit marginalized people. We are only as good as we treat the most vulnerable among us. #MLKDay pic.twitter.com/lhm3IEJDn8

— Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (@kaj33) January 18, 2021

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson explains to soccer legend Gary O'Reilly and comedian Chuck Nice how AI could replace human referees in the near future, depending on the sport.

Alex Rodriguez will appear on NBC's "The Tonight Show" at 11:35pm ET.

$871,239 -- Amount Univ. of Louisville athletics spent in COVID-19 expenses as of Dec. 31 (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 1/18).